NAVAL NEEDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1924, Page 4

NAVAL NEEDS.

SKC'UXI) I.KIHT CIU'ISKIL WHLI.IXGTOX. Auk. Tht! importance of the provision of n .second cruiser :it the curliest pussi Mi* moment esumot l;c overestimated,” stales the (.ommodore of tlic Xcv. Zealand Xaval iStati ill. in his annual report, lie adds that, tjinlc apart from Imperial considerations, with one light cruiser only thorn is an entire lack of competition, except on the rare occasions of a visit being paid to Australia or a ship of the Australian Xavy visiting Xew Zealand waters. Competition is the keystone of ellieieiicv. and however good the personnel of nil individual ship may lie, it is impossible to maintain the highest possible standard without enmpetiton with at least one oilier ship ol the same or a similar class. Cor viie pence time needs of a station. embracing as it docs a very large area, iin-luding a eousnlerahle liitmbei of islands in ihe South I’aedie. ii iliigily i!c.-irahle the; aunher ship should he provided to enable the various pert- til.- visited more lrei|Uently. I is not < uuteiuphiUd that a snhmari.te flotilla should ho established in Xew Zealand waters lor the pre

Hfllt . (Iv.ino In the i implement i f 11..M.5. I):ii!'ilin liein;; sandier than l!: t <>‘ 11.A1.5. Chatham. ill 1 iniitil-ts i’l ohicors and men In lie I; mu.* this year are lass tliaa i::r ill" tifc\ 1 ills yoiir. Xa provision has I i-aii made far the entry am! training ul yean;; men 'vhn will I: • reunited eventually far inaiiiiin/ tlm uviincl and tliir.l lisrlit crnis'“rs. It is earnestly !u»)». (1 t'a tas s••on as the financial position nl the Ihiimininn remlers it ))::s-ihle. a second lipid cntiser of the “D.” class will lie added la tilt* Minadran. and event e.ally a third. The report shews that rc rnitilte activity has linen increased, and the Commodore is thoninphly satisfied with the physiipte and exemplary hehavi air of New Zealanders, lie advocates preliminary training locallv and then sending snitahle recruits to I’.tej'laiid for f.pecittl.'s'i .-oniscs. “At first; sipht. lie says; “it may anpear that the cost entailed h.v remlinp men to Knplaml is extravapam-e., le.it the expense is small in comparison to the alternative of estahlisliinp and inainlaininp' schools id' instrnetinn in New Zealand, anil even when this latter emirs" is adopted, tin* instruction imparted could tint compare with that' which call he pivott to the men in Knplaml.”